World Nuclear Newshttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/rss.aspx?fid=790Palisades to close in 2018http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Palisades-to-close-in-2018-0912168.html
<img title="Palisades_(NRC)-48" alt="Palisades_(NRC)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Palisades (NRC) 48.jpg" align="left" />Entergy Corporation yesterday announced plans to close the Palisades nuclear power plant by 1 October 2018. The company has also agreed to the early termination of an agreement under which Consumers Energy was to buy almost all of the Michigan plant's output until 2022. <br />
Warwick PipeFri, 09 Dec 2016 16:46:30 GMTDoors installed at Sellafield silohttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Doors-installed-at-Sellafield-silo-09121601.html
<img title="PFCS doors - 48" style="BORDER-TOP-COLOR: ; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: ; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: ; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: ; align: left" alt="PFCS doors - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/PFCS%20doors%20-%2048.jpg" align="left" />The Pile Fuel Cladding Silo at Sellafield is "a step closer to being cleaned up" thanks to the installation of six 12.4 tonne stainless steel doors designed to open the building's 'locked vaults'. The silo is one of the 'big four' legacy facilities at the Sellafield site in Cumbria, England.
Warwick PipeFri, 09 Dec 2016 16:08:27 GMTPakistan's Chashma 3 completes acceptance testhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Pakistans-Chashma-3-completes-acceptance-test-0912165.html
<img title="Chashma units 3 and 4 - 48" align="left" style="" alt="Chashma units 3 and 4 - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Chashma%20units%203%20and%204%20-%2048.jpg" />Pakistan's fourth reactor - unit 3 of the Chashma nuclear power plant in Punjab province - has passed a preliminary acceptance test, supplier China National Nuclear Corporation has announced.
Claire Louise IstedFri, 09 Dec 2016 16:22:03 GMTJapanese reactor resumes operation after periodic inspectionhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Japanese-reactor-resumes-operation-after-periodic-inspection-0912164.html
<img title="Sendai - 48 (JAIF)" align="left" alt="Sendai - 48 (JAIF)" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Sendai%20-%2048%20(JAIF).jpg" />Kyushu Electric Power Company yesterday began the process of restarting the reactor of unit 1 at its Sendai nuclear power plant in Japan's Kagoshima prefecture following a periodic inspection. The prefectural governor had opposed the restart of the unit, which resumed operation in August 2015 following a shutdown of the country's nuclear fleet.
Claire Louise IstedFri, 09 Dec 2016 14:45:23 GMTIllinois energy bill becomes lawhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Illinois-energy-bill-becomes-law-0812168.html
<img title="Bruce_Rauner_SB2814_signing_(Rauner)-48" alt="Bruce_Rauner_SB2814_signing_(Rauner)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Illinois bill (Rauner) 468.jpg" align="left" />Illinois governor Bruce Rauner yesterday signed energy legislation that will ensure the continued operation of the Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear power plants. <br />
Claire MadenThu, 08 Dec 2016 14:06:38 GMTNew fabrication plant for Kazakhstanhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/UF-New-fabrication-plant-for-Kazakhstan-0812167.html
Construction of a nuclear fuel fabrication plant has begun in Kazakhstan, KazAtomProm, CGN and Areva have announced. The plant will use Areva fabrication technology and will be managed by a joint venture between KazAtomProm and China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGNPC). <br />
Claire MadenThu, 08 Dec 2016 13:47:13 GMTEconomic contribution from Hinkley 'gaining recognition'http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Economic-contribution-from-Hinkley-gaining-recognition-0712169a.html
<img title="Hinkley_Point_C_welcome_sign_(EDFEnergy)-48" alt="Hinkley_Point_C_welcome_sign_(EDFEnergy)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Welcome_to_HPC_sign(EDF) 48.jpg" align="left" />Media coverage of Hinkley Point C has tended to focus on EDF Energy’s financial agreement with the UK government and is only now being recognised for the economic benefits it will bring to the local economy, Nigel Knee, head of the company's nuclear policy, said yesterday. EDF Energy's updated analysis shows that almost £4 billion ($5 billion) will go into the regional economy of the South West of England over the lifetime of the project, Knee told delegates at the Budapest Energy Summit. <br />
Claire MadenWed, 07 Dec 2016 16:03:50 GMTIAEA meets to strengthen security as USA disposes of plutoniumhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-IAEA-meets-to-strengthen-security-as-USA-disposes-of-plutonium-0712167.html
<img title="Amano_Moniz_IAEA_051216_(Calma-IAEA)-48" alt="Amano_Moniz_IAEA_051216_(Calma-IAEA)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Amano-Moniz 5 Dec 2016 (Calma-IAEA)-48.jpg" align="left" />The USA has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor and verify the disposition of surplus plutonium in South Carolina, US energy secretary Ernest Moniz said on 5 December. Moniz's announcement was made at an IAEA conference which aims to strengthen global nuclear security.
Claire MadenWed, 07 Dec 2016 16:04:42 GMTEDF reactors move closer to restarthttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-EDF-reactors-move-closer-to-restart-0612145.html
The French nuclear safety authority has accepted analyses submitted by EDF on the serviceability of ten of its 900 MWe reactors in which some steam generator parts were found to contain high concentrations of carbon. The utility will soon submit analyses for two 1450 MWe units.
Warwick PipeTue, 06 Dec 2016 16:44:57 GMTCourt backs German utilities' compensation claimhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Court-backs-German-utilities-compensation-claim-0612144.html
Germany's Federal Constitutional Court today ruled that, although the country's 2011 phase-out legislation is essentially in compliance with the constitution, power utilities are entitled to "reasonable" compensation for the early shut down of their nuclear power reactors.
Warwick PipeTue, 06 Dec 2016 16:48:16 GMTClimate target 'very difficult' without nuclear, says IEA chief economisthttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/EE-Climate-target-very-difficult-without-nuclear-says-IEA-chief-economist-06121601.html
Wind and solar power are transforming the electricity industry, but not fast enough to put the world on track for the UNFCCC's Paris Agreement target to hold the global temperature increase well below 2°C, according to László Varró, chief economist of the International Energy Agency. This "climate stabilisation" target needs nuclear power to play a significant role in the low-carbon power mix, Varró told delegates at the Budapest Energy Summit yesterday.
Warwick PipeTue, 06 Dec 2016 16:13:24 GMTToro reports Wiluna cost reductionshttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/UF-Toro-reports-Wiluna-cost-reductions-0512168.html
Toro Energy has redesigned the process flow sheet for its Wiluna uranium project in Western Australia to reduce the cost and size of the project's processing facility, following successful beneficiation and process design studies, the company announced today.
Warwick PipeMon, 05 Dec 2016 16:26:05 GMTRed Book sees production capacity as future uranium challengehttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/UF-Red-Book-sees-production-capacity-as-future-uranium-challenge-0512167.html
Developing production capacity to meet the world's uranium needs, rather than the availability of uranium resources, is a likely challenge over coming years according to the latest edition of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and International Atomic Energy Agency joint report on uranium resources, production and demand.
Warwick PipeMon, 05 Dec 2016 16:51:41 GMTIAEA team completes review of Italian regulatorhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-IAEA-team-completes-review-of-Italian-regulator-0512164.html
Italy is committed to effective nuclear regulatory oversight, but it faces challenges related to resources and needs to further develop policies for nuclear safety, decommissioning and radioactive waste management, an International Atomic Energy Agency peer review mission has concluded.
Claire Louise IstedMon, 05 Dec 2016 14:52:03 GMTIllinois passes Future Energy Jobs Billhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Illinois-passes-Future-Energy-Jobs-Bill-0212167.html
<img title="Illinois_Senate_vote_Dec_16_(ComEd)-48" alt="Illinois_Senate_vote_Dec_16_(ComEd)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/2 Illinois house (ComEd) 48.jpg" align="left" />Legislators in the US state of Illinois yesterday passed a bill recognising the contribution of nuclear energy to the state's clean energy efforts and ensuring the continued operation of the state's nuclear power plants. The Future Energy Jobs Bill will also advance renewable energy and expand energy efficiency initiatives.
Warwick PipeFri, 02 Dec 2016 15:54:20 GMTUK nuclear industry looks back at 'momentous' yearhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-UK-nuclear-industry-looks-back-at-momentous-year-0212164.html
With the final investment decision to build the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset, together with progress in other planned new nuclear projects, 2016 has been a "momentous" year for the UK, delegates at the Nuclear Industry Association's <em>Nuclear2016</em> conference in London heard yesterday.
Claire Louise IstedFri, 02 Dec 2016 14:54:03 GMTRussia and Brazil plan irradiation centrehttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Russia-and-Brazil-plan-irradiation-centre-02121601.html
United Innovation Corporation, a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazilian consultancy CK3 for the development, construction and operation of an irradiation centre in Brazil. The document was signed by the director-generals of the two companies, respectively, Denis Cherednichenko and Renato Cherkezian.
Warwick PipeFri, 02 Dec 2016 16:09:11 GMTUK launches nuclear skills Strategic Planhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-UK-launches-nuclear-skills-Strategic-Plan-01121601.html
The Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) today launched its Nuclear Skills Strategic Plan to ensure UK nuclear employers can "recruit skilled people at the required rate to meet the sector's ambitious forward program". The Strategic Plan was launched at Nuclear 2016, the Nuclear Industry Association’s annual conference in London.
Claire MadenThu, 01 Dec 2016 15:49:38 GMTTwo milestones for Vogtle new buildhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Two-milestones-for-Vogtle-new-build-0112167.html
<img title="Vogtle_3_RPV_lift_(Georgia Power)_48" align="left" alt="Vogtle_3_RPV_lift_(Georgia Power)_48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Vogtle 3 RPV screenshot 2 - 48.jpg" />The first reactor pressure vessel (RPV) has been lifted into place at Georgia Power's Vogtle nuclear construction project in Georgia. Vogtle 3's RPV was lifted into place two days after the placement of the CA01 module was completed at Vogtle 4. <br />
Claire Louise IstedThu, 01 Dec 2016 14:58:57 GMTKazakhstan and China further cooperationhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Kazakhstan-and-China-further-cooperation-30111601.html
Officials from KazAtomProm - the world's biggest uranium producer - and the Kazakh government have visited China for talks on enhanced cooperation in the uranium mining and nuclear power sectors. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Askar Mamin, first deputy prime minister of Kazakhstan.
Warwick PipeWed, 30 Nov 2016 16:16:20 GMTPost-Brexit business as usual at JEThttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Post-Brexit-business-as-usual-at-JET-3011168.html
<img title="Ian_Chapman_(CFFE)-48" align="left" alt="Ian_Chapman_(CFFE)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Chapman 48.jpg" />"Nothing has changed" regarding the future for the UK's Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) and the Joint European Torus (JET), centre head Ian Chapman said today. <br />
Claire Louise IstedWed, 30 Nov 2016 16:41:49 GMTCLP buys 17% stake in operator of Yangjiang planthttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-CLP-buys-17pc-stake-in-operator-of-Yangjiang-plant-3011164.html
<img title="Yangjiang units 1 to 6 - 48" align="left" style="" alt="Yangjiang units 1 to 6 - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Yangjiang%20units%201%20to%206%20-%2048.jpg" />Hong Kong-based power company CLP Holdings Limited has won a bid to acquire a 17% stake in Yangjiang Nuclear Power Company Limited from China General Nuclear. The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-2017.
Claire Louise IstedWed, 30 Nov 2016 16:24:11 GMTNRC fines TVA for Browns Ferry violationshttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-NRC-fines-TVA-for-Browns-Ferry-violations-3011167.html
<img title="Browns Ferry (TVA)_48" align="left" alt="Browns Ferry (TVA)_48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/browns_ferry_48.jpg" />The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has been given 30 days to pay a $140,000 civil penalty proposed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for fire watch violations at the Browns Ferry nuclear power plant in Alabama. <br />
Claire Louise IstedWed, 30 Nov 2016 14:30:05 GMTNRC begins third Pilgrim inspectionhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-NRC-begins-third-Pilgrim-inspection-2911167.html
<img title="Pilgrim_(Entergy)-48" alt="Pilgrim_(Entergy)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Pilgrim 2 48.jpg" align="left" />A multi-disciplinary US Nuclear Regulatory Commission team has begun a 'top-to-bottom' review at Entergy's Pilgrim nuclear power plant. The review will take a total of three weeks and is the third and largest NRC inspection conducted as part of the regulator's heightened scrutiny of the Massachusetts plant.
Warwick PipeTue, 29 Nov 2016 16:06:41 GMTIter decommissioning to be studiedhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Iter-decommissioning-to-be-studied-2911165.html
<img title="Iter tokamak - 48" alt="Iter tokamak - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Iter%20tokamak%20-%2048.jpg" align="left" />A consortium led by Amec Foster Wheeler has been awarded a contract to examine the future decommissioning of the Iter fusion reactor, currently under construction at Cadarache in the south of France.
Warwick PipeTue, 29 Nov 2016 16:28:11 GMTConstruction to start on Finnish repositoryhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WS-Construction-to-start-on-Finnish-repository-2911164.html
<img title="Olkiluoto repository 48" align="left" style="" alt="Olkiluoto repository 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Olkiluoto%20repository%2048.jpg" />The excavation of an underground used nuclear fuel final disposal facility at Olkiluoto, Finland, is set to begin next month. Last week the country's Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority declared waste management company Posiva to be in a position to start construction of the repository.
Claire Louise IstedTue, 29 Nov 2016 14:55:21 GMTEngineers enclose radioactive remains of Chernobyl 4http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Engineers-enclose-radioactive-remains-of-Chernobyl-4-29111601.html
<img title="Chernobyl NSC in place - 48" style="BORDER-TOP-COLOR: ; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: ; BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: ; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: ; align: left" alt="Chernobyl NSC in place - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Chernobyl%20NSC%20in%20place%20-%2048.jpg" align="left" />The process of sliding the arched structure into place to shield the damaged unit 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine has been completed, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has announced. London-based EBRD said a ceremony in Chernobyl today marked the successful conclusion of the sliding operation, which it described as a key milestone before finalisation of the international program to transform Chernobyl into an environmentally safe and secure state by November 2017.
Warwick PipeTue, 29 Nov 2016 15:55:21 GMTEskom confident of Thyspunt seismic safetyhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Eskom-confident-of-Thyspunt-seismic-safety2811167.html
South African nuclear utility Eskom said it is confident its probabilistic seismic safety studies for Thyspunt adequately characterise the site's seismic hazards. It denied allegations by a research institute that it had not shared its findings on the seismic safety of the Eastern Cape site. <br />
Claire MadenMon, 28 Nov 2016 16:30:42 GMTSaudi Arabia and South Korea to cooperate in nuclear regulationhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Saudi-Arabia-and-South-Korea-to-cooperate-in-nuclear-regulation-2811165.html
<img title="NSSC-KACARE MOU - November 2016 - 48" align="left" style="" alt="NSSC-KACARE MOU - November 2016 - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/NSSC-KACARE%20MOU%20-%20November%202016%20-%2048.jpg" />A memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting cooperation on nuclear safety regulation was recently signed between South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy.
Claire Louise IstedTue, 29 Nov 2016 14:57:27 GMTBritish university unveils 'diamond' nuclear-powered batteryhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-British-university-unveils-diamond-nuclear-powered-battery-28111602.html
The University of Bristol, in England, has developed new technology that uses nuclear waste to generate electricity in a nuclear-powered battery. A team of physicists and chemists from the university has "grown a man-made diamond" that, when placed in a radioactive field, is able to generate a small electrical current. The developers say the innovation could solve some of the problems of nuclear waste, clean electricity generation and battery life.
Warwick PipeMon, 28 Nov 2016 16:14:36 GMTCold testing under way at Tianwan 3http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-Cold-testing-under-way-at-Tianwan-3-2811164.html
<img title="Tianwan 3 cold tests - 48" align="left" style="" alt="Tianwan 3 cold tests - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Tianwan%203%20cold%20tests%20-%2048.jpg" />Cold hydrostatic testing has been started at unit 3 of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China's Jiangsu province, China Nuclear Industry 23 Construction Company Limited has announced. The Russian-supplied VVER-1000 is scheduled to start up in 2018.
Claire Louise IstedMon, 28 Nov 2016 14:34:55 GMTUK regulators question Westinghouse's target date for AP1000 GDAhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-UK-regulators-may-move-GDA-target-date-for-AP1000-28111601.html
UK regulators expect to complete the Generic Design Assessment process for Hitachi-GE's UK Advanced Boiling Water Reactor as scheduled, in December of 2017, but doubt the GDA for the Westinghouse AP1000 will be done by March as previously stated.
Claire Louise IstedWed, 30 Nov 2016 16:31:50 GMTSwiss reject rapid nuclear phase outhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Swiss-reject-rapid-nuclear-phase-out-2711161.html
<img title="Muhleberg - 48" alt="Muhleberg - 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Muhleberg - 48.jpg" align="left" /><strong>UPDATED</strong> The proposal to force older nuclear power plants to close in Switzerland has been rejected in a referendum. The five reactors that provide over one-third of electricity can continue to operate according to their economic lives.
Warwick PipeMon, 28 Nov 2016 16:31:32 GMTSNC-Lavalin wins Atucha contracthttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-SNC-Lavalin-wins-Atucha-contract-25111602.html
SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a pre-project contract from Argentina's Nucleoeléctrica Argentina SA for the Candu nuclear new build project at the Atucha site in the district of Zàrate. The Canadian engineering group said yesterday that, "if this project materialises, it would be the first Candu new build since Cernavoda Unit 2 came on line in 2007".
Claire MadenFri, 25 Nov 2016 16:42:47 GMTJapanese steel components sufficiently strong, NRA sayshttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Japanese-steel-components-sufficiently-strong-NRA-says-2511167.html
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has concluded that domestically produced nuclear power plant components are sufficiently strong for their intended purpose.
Claire Louise IstedFri, 25 Nov 2016 16:35:11 GMTUkraine applauds WANO's pilot cross-centre review at Rovnohttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/C-Ukraine-applauds-WANOs-pilot-cross-centre-review-at-Rovno-25111601.html
The head of Energoatom has described the World Association of Nuclear Operators' first cross-regional review, which is taking place at the Rovno nuclear power plant in Ukraine, as a "very useful" exercise that reflects changes to WANO's approach following the 2011 Fukushima accident in Japan.
Claire MadenFri, 25 Nov 2016 14:54:29 GMTSpanish regulator approves post-Fukushima measureshttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Spanish-regulator-approves-new-post-Fukushima-measures-2411167.html
Spanish nuclear regulators have approved new post-Fukushima design modifications at the country's nuclear power plants, including final approvals for emergency management centres. <br />
Claire Louise IstedThu, 24 Nov 2016 16:19:31 GMTCourt rules against Entergy on Indian Point licence renewalhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-Court-rules-against-Entergy-on-Indian-Point-licence-renewal-2311167.html
<img title="Indian Point 48" alt="Indian Point 48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Indian Point 48 (Entergy).jpg" align="left" />New York State's Court of Appeals has ruled that part of Entergy's application to renew the operating licences for the Indian Point nuclear plant must be reviewed at the state level. The New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) has already concluded that the application is inconsistent with its coastal management requirements. <br />
Claire MadenWed, 23 Nov 2016 16:56:34 GMTEskom procurement plan unchanged by lower capacity targethttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-Eskom-procurement-plan-unchanged-by-lower-capacity-target-23111602.html
South African utility Eskom will stick with its plan to invite this year applications from companies interested in building new nuclear plants. This is despite the government's newly announced aim to increase the country's nuclear capacity by 1359 MWe by 2037 - less and over a longer timeframe than the previously announced target.
Claire Louise IstedFri, 25 Nov 2016 14:50:19 GMTUK regulator's chief executive reflects on her first yearhttp://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-UK-regulator-chief-executive-reflects-on-her-first-year-23111601.html
<img title="A_Kelbie_Win_Global_2016_(ONR)-48" align="left" alt="A_Kelbie_Win_Global_2016_(ONR)-48" src="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/uploadedImages/wnn/Images/Kelbie at WinGlobal (ONR) 48.jpg" />Adriènne Kelbie, chief executive of the UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), reflected on a "hectic and rewarding" introduction to the nuclear industry in a recent interview with <em>World Nuclear News (WNN)</em>. Kelbie, who joined ONR in January, described a "positive year" for the UK nuclear safety and security regulator, but acknowledged there is still "plenty of hard work ahead" to help ONR be "fit for a busier and more challenging future".
Claire Louise IstedWed, 23 Nov 2016 16:56:16 GMT